WHO HAS THE LAST LAUGH?
DIVISION IN THE VINEYARD

More than ever, Christians must distinguish whether a move in the Church is of God or not. The Apostle John warned believers: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1, NASV).

What about those who base their confidence on mere emotions and assert possession of “power evangelism” because of signs and wonders? If something is unexplainable and lacks real biblical support, can it really be a move from God? What if some practice creates chaos and frenzy, should it not be condemned on the basis of 1 Corinthians 12-14? Jesus Himself exhorted us: “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24, NASV).

In 1983, John Wimber broke ranks with the fellowship of Calvary Chapel to align himself with six other churches. A few years later, in 1987, they formed officially as the Association of Vineyard Churches. (See further, The Quarterly Journal, Vol. 15, No. 2.) Wimber serves as Founder and International Director of the Association.

Wimber’s sect has grown worldwide to nearly 550 congregations. In recent months its most noteworthy gathering has been the Toronto Airport Vineyard. Its purported “spiritual renewal,” manifested in laughing and the utterance of animal noises, has gained the attention of Christian and secular media.

These demonstrations of “God’s Spirit” have caused much controversy, so much so that last Dec. 5, the American Vineyard Board and Council ousted the Toronto Airport Vineyard at a meeting in Toronto. At the gathering, Wimber announced the decision to Airport’s senior pastor, John Arnott. Among those at the meeting were Robert Fulton and Todd Hunter, American colleagues; and Gary Best, the Canadian Vineyard coordinator. The ouster became official Jan. 20.

An “open letter” for general distribution from John Arnott states that the decision came as a surprise and that “we were offered no opportunity for discussion. We were removed without due process.” He indicated, however, that they “will be parting on friendly terms.” Growing universal concern of “The Toronto Blessing” is said to be the reason for disengagement.

According to the February 1996 issue of Charisma magazine,

“The issue centers in part on the unusual animal-like behavior — such as roaring or barking — that is sometimes manifested during renewal meetings at the Toronto church. Wimber said Arnott and his staff repeatedly were warned not to promote, encourage or theologize the animal behavior and the accompanying sounds” (pg. 12).

The Charismatic periodical also noted “members of the board, however, [thought that] the decision to release the Toronto church was not a rash one. In September 1994, the denomination’s position on the renewal was hashed out in an emergency session of the board and distributed to all Vineyard pastors. Over a 14-month period, Wimber said, the Toronto leaders repeatedly violated the guidelines contained in the position report. The 20-member board voted unanimously to release Toronto from the denomination.”

With the controversial (holy laughter) “renewal” taking place in Canada, Wimber apparently has had difficulty explaining to the media this “current move of God.” He became apprehensive about the manifestations of animal noises that are a part of the “blessings” in Toronto. Arnott’s open letter further stated that Wimber “felt he could no longer answer questions, including innuendoes and rumours regarding the renewal services. Rather than ask us to revamp the renewal meetings, they released us to continue as we believe God is leading us. ... [Wimber] feels the AVC Board is not called to shepherd something outside the ministry model God has given them.”

Although reports have circulated that other Vineyard fellowships, including ones in Pasadena and St. Louis, have resigned, it is not expected to cause a major split.

These “blessings” or “renewals” began in North America through the influence of South African evangelist Rodney Howard-Browne (see The Quarterly Journal, Vol. 14, No. 4). Howard-Browne, who calls himself a “Holy Ghost bartender,” fosters a laughing revival wherever he preaches.

In 1993, Howard-Browne led a series of meetings at Kenneth Hagin’s church in Tulsa, Okla., which St. Louis Vineyard pastor Randy Clarke attended. Clarke, through a series of subsequent encounters with other Vineyard pastors, later imparted the laughing revival to the Toronto church in 1994. As a result, well over 50,000 people had visited the Airport Vineyard Church that year. These people are to bring the “blessing” back to their home church for “times of refreshing” there. In Canada, the “blessing” has become a buzzword; those who have experienced it are considered elite.

What have these events proven? What are the fruits of this movement? How are people growing in Christ? Does the Vineyard church base their confidence on merely emotions, signs and wonders or on balanced teaching and biblical truth?

In spite of ties being severed by the AVC, it is odd that John Wimber stated in the Jan. 8, 1996, issue of Christianity Today: “I believe that there has been an authentic visitation of the Spirit there. However, I am unable because of my own scriptural and theological convictions to any longer give an answer for, or defend the way, this particular move is being pastored and/or explained” (pg. 66).

Equally odd is Wimber’s endorsement of Arnott’s book, The Father’s Blessing, an autobiographical account of the “Toronto Blessing,” and other works sympathetic to the purported “renewal.”

Then there’s the National Coordinator of Vineyard Churches, Todd Hunter, who told Christianity Today: “Wimber’s own statements had made it clear that board members wanted the renewal in Toronto to move toward greater scriptural emphasis.”

Hunter himself, at an October 1994 service at the Vineyard Fellowship in Mission Viejo, Calif., had members of the congregation shrieking and bellowing (one woman even squealing like a pig) while he said: “This is normal Christianity!”

It is the duty of Church authority to expose heresy as it manifests itself in the name of Christianity. Unhealthy spiritual consequences, including shipwrecked faith, will nearly always follow the rise of false teachings. Doctrine and theology should be tried and confirmed by the Word of God; our faith and trust is in Him alone. And in His unerring Word.

Despite Wimber’s proclamations, what are the roots of the Vineyard movement? Does Wimber and the Vineyard church wish to embrace sound doctrine? “Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).

In the October 1982 issue of Christian Life magazine, Wimber demonstrated his indifference to sound doctrine. On page 10 a question he posed to Peter Wagner (his associate from Charles E. Fuller Institute of Evangelism and Church Growth) is quoted: “Would you object if I started a Bible class in my home based on what the Bible says and then attempted to demonstrate it by doing what first century Christians did... no theology — just Biblical study and application?” (emphasis added).

Does the bottom line indicate that the Vineyard church wishes to promote biblical interpretation? In a church-planting seminar in 1981, Wimber said: “Calvaryites [Calvary Chapel attendees] are sometimes a little too heavily oriented to the written Word. I know that sounds a little dangerous, but frankly they’re very Pharisaical in their allegiance to the Bible. They have very little life, and growth and spontaneity in their innards. Sometimes they’re very rigid and can’t receive much of the things of the Lord.”

Does Wimber deviate from God’s Word because of an extra-biblical mind-set? Do his teachings reveal discord with that of the Bible in his theology and methodology?

Consider his words from the Vineyard ‘83 Leadership Conference, “The Five Year Plan”: “All that is in the Bible is true but not all truth is in the Bible. We integrate all truth, both Biblical and other, into our experience of living.” Also, from his 1981 Church Planting Seminar, he stated, “God is greater than His word.”

Additionally, Vineyard churches have repeatedly confirmed their fixation on experience and outward manifestations. In a paper dated April 20, 1994, and “written to help teach the Champaign [Ill.] Vineyard church body good techniques for enhancing times of ministry” with “some helpful hints” we find these “Tips for Facilitating Ministry as a Leader”:

“3. If you don’t notice any outward manifestations of the Holy Spirit, ask those who sense a strong anointing within them to come for ministry. This might manifest as a burning, tingling, or ‘knowing,’ etc.”

and

“8. Some children have even been reported as being fearful of some of the manifestations they have experienced such as being pinned to the floor.”

In the section, “Tips for Praying for People” we read:

“7a. Help them to deal with a tendency to rationalize, with their fears, or with a loss of control.”

Further, in the last section titled, “Tips for Receiving Ministry” it states:

“2. Experience it before trying to analyze it. It is something like worshipping God, which has no rational explanation. Others have likened it to kissing, which is more emotional than analytical.”

The above statements contradict Paul’s exhortations to learn and follow sound doctrine. As a result, one is faced with confusion and disorder riding the emotional waves of the aberrant teachings of the Vineyard movement.

Indeed, Wimber and his associates, with their emotional guidance system, have created a “monster” that they now find hard to control. Wimber’s own life-threatening battle with cancer is a forceful illustration to the deficiency of his “power evangelism.” One should not place trust in subjective and supernatural encounters. Such encounters are so often of the flesh or the devil. The Word of God is our final authority and the foundation for our walk with Him. Caution is a prerequisite when dealing with those who claim to represent Christ.

—AMG

© 1996 - PFO. All rights reserved by Personal Freedom Outreach. This article may not be stored on BBS or Internet sites without permission. Reproduction is prohibited, except for portions intended for personal use and non-commercial purposes. For reproduction permission contact: Personal Freedom Outreach, P.O. Box 26062, Saint Louis, Missouri 63136.